EVALUATION - Question 1

All films that are produced start of with film openings, which follow conventions of film openings. As an audience, we are able to see title sequences and usually hear sound, whilst some sort of movement appear on the screen. These are aspects of the conventions that the audience is able to realise easily. However, there are more conventions that the openings follow that create effect but also to give the audience a brief idea of a location, character or plot. This is also known as the teaser to the story which is used to keep the opening continuous. Further effects can also be added to this to make the opening appealing.
The opening of a thriller film in particular also follows these conventions but the atmosphere created differ to other types of film genres. Most thriller films usually create a tense feeling, unlike a comedy film that would create a relaxed atmosphere. The scene itself may feel long in terms of what is happening, but in terms of duration compared to the rest of the film, it is very sort.

Main conventions of film openings :

• Teaser to the story - The teaser to the story is what makes the audience want to watch the film. It does not tell you what happens in the entire film, but it gives a them a preview that allows them to make guesses and decisions on what will happen next in the film. The teaser to the story can be created through the types of openings. There are two type of openings that are very good at giving teasers to the story.

Narrative openings

It tells a part of the story, not giving away the entire plot but giving a preview. This should engage the audience, putting them in the actual atmosphere that is show on the screen from the start of he film, preparing them for what is upcoming. This is one of the best type of openings that gives a teaser to the story.

Discreet openings

This type of opening has a little relation to the film itself, but is a very effective way of giving a teaser to the story. Effects are used, but locations, characters and narrative are not given away to the story until after the opening. Sound may be used to replace the visual moving images. This is very effective because it puts the audience in an unaware position.

• Special effects - Atmosphere created through mis en scene. the mis en scene from effects are not the original video, but effects added on top of the original video to create a better visual scene. Even little effects, such as fades still help to create an understanding of what is happening but in an entertaining and skilful manner.

• Sound - The sound in a thriller film would be tense, taunting or have a sense of adrenaline. the sound would always have a relation to the scene. for example, a R&B song would unlikely be used in a horror thriller because it wouldn't match the sub genre. Special sounds can be used as well as special effects, such as heartbeat sounds, natural sounds etc.

• Title sequence - A title sequence would tend to follow an order according to the status of individuals in the hierarchy of the film. the sequence of titles will be briefly explained in the video beneath.